I'd probably go with the top option--there can be a lot of beauty to the body, the Ancient Greeks knew about that and so did the people in the Renascence period.

though I think most nudity you'd see on FA would be in sex scenes or in creepy fetish things :O

Sounds good to me. Go for it. :)

Go for it, I adore seeing well rendered artistic nudes

I'm fine with non-pornographic nudity.

I wouldn't mind, do it

Whats wrong with tasteful nudity?

Nothing really, I particularly happen to like it. I'm just trying to gauge how people would react to it coming from me.

I think you should go ahead and do it. Someone with your abilities I'm sure would add more natural wholesome beauty to the fandom... its much needed since nudity tends to equal skankiness in many cases.

I'd say top one. Just because something isn't pornographic doesn't mean its awesome :3

Artistic nudity is fine by me!

As long as you're comfortable with it, I'm all for seeing some artistic nudity from you!

I'll also go ahead and put in my vote for smutty nudity too, if that bug ever starts biting

go for it

Awesome, go for it, DeviantArt has a pretty good mature filter in place as well.

Since I deactivated my DA account, I would say I wouldn't mind seeing tasteful, non-pornographic art from you.

I thought you already posted stuff like that XD

I love seeing artist nudes, so I saw go for it. :) Besides my opinion opinion on it, I say you should post whatever you feel like.

bring on the hookers

Do you really need a poll for that? :P

Gooo for it.

Gee, asking furries if they want to see nudes, what sort of reaction did you think you were going to get?

Better to bring your conscience into play rather than leaving your moral decisions up to other people.

Dominus tecum

I'm not asking for the majority opinion, I want to see the dissenting ones

Ahh! My apologies. I misunderstood your intentions.

Dominus tecum

This is usually my thinking, too. Who am I disappointing by posting this?

Well there's my mom, but she's disappointed anytime I draw any female character who is implied to be undressed.

Aw man. I keep my art as far from my folk's eyes as possible, usually.

My parents refer to Gollum as "that ghastly thing" and every other fantasy creature as "weird thing", so I never show them any of my art, even if it's not in any way sexual.

While Gollum IS a ghastly thing, and many fantasy creatures ARE weird things, they're mostly meaning that in the way how anyone could take time out of their day to create something like that.

Yeah, that was my exact thought.

I trust you to be tasteful but I really don't think any nudity is something you really need to make an effort to draw. I wouldn't be disappointed (as long as it was tasteful and truly not pornographic in any way), but I also wouldn't ask you to do so.

Put a response on DA as well.

Long story short, it depends on your definition of tasteful nudity, and exactly how in your face it is. I don't mind it, and in fact sometimes appreciate it, when it clearly isn't the focal point of the image in general. If however, we're talking a close up shot of a subject, highlighting their nudity, then its a bit too in your face for my taste.

Mind you, my taste is mostly irrelevant in this case, as this is a judgement you need to make for yourself.

As I said in one of your previous journals: Draw whatever you feel like. :3

Dude, I think it's fine. You already do a lot of "cartoon" nudes, and it's all very natural in your art. Aside from having to draw your anatomy a little more realistically, I don't see what the difference is, as long as you keep things natural.

By which I mean, the characters are fine with it and undo attention isn't isn't drawn to the fact that they are nude.

At last we'll get to see Grape and Peanut's anatomically-correct necks.

It's all up to you really. But I do want to see what you will come up with. Is this a tentative foray into the unknown?

Nothing to do with your post but quick question.
Where did you get a picture of my cat for you avatar?


*giggles *. Sorry couldn't help it

I don't see why you can't or shouldn't post artistic nudity? You've come pretty close to full on nudity in some of you past drawings, what's the harm in just going that extra step?
You can always create a mature art account on the side if you're really afraid of showing you're general audience some of the more mature stuff.
If you want to draw it, I say go for it.

I am sure you are going to hear this alot, but I wouldn't mind at all, and I am quite curious as to what subject said nudity will be in. What ideas do you have in mind? Are some of them already being worked on?

Hopefully you won't draw too much unpleasant attention to yourself and people act maturely to the subject, though being the internet just be prepared. I am sure you already have thought of this though.

I feel the same as dream_and_nightmare. just do what you feel comfortable with, don't go forcing yourself into something you're not ready for.
I'd rather see an artist (and writer) I follow do something that they feel happy doing, as long it leads to them onto further growth as an artist and/or as a writer, more importantly in the positive sense.

I'd rather you not. I sorta see it as a gateway to other things. But I can't stop what you want to do.

This isn't a "I want to do" as much as "I feel like I've gutted too many ideas and feelings for the sake of being PG (even though it's practically not even the case)". I've always thought that as an artist, being honest to yourself and to others is a necessary trait, because if you are not honest, if you can't lay the soul bare, the art is always going to be missing something.

.... Nice. Total respect for that kind of dedication towards your art.

SO quick question--in relation to your current commission prices, what kind of a change in price would we be seeing? (Assuming price change by default.)

I don't think I'd be taking adult art commissions, or if I did I'd probably insist they have a certain standard to them/I personally really want to do them. In either case I doubt it'd be that much of a bump.

hmm...

I have this otteress character, who is from a Star Fox based universe (see icon). An arm and a portion of her torso have been replaced with bionics. I have been thinking of possibly having you do a standard commission of her, but If you think you might like to try doing a nude of her as a figure study only...

Though I realize it's probably too soon to be asking for such things, if you've yet to decide what you are comfortable with. I'd still consider the regular commission for sure, though I think you may find the character to be a good starting ground as a nude study since she has those sci-fi elements to tie you back to something more familiar.

/v_v\

?

I choose Awesome! Go for it.

who cares? art should be a middle finger to the face of something

I don't think I'd mind unless you started just drawing porn all the time.

But overall, I'd say the fewer restrictions and self-censorship, the better.

It's up to you, though I wouldn't be particularly fond of it

The characters you draw are already basically artistic nudes. They don't wear clothes. Or few, at least. Only thing you might change is adding genitals, and that's moving it more towards the porno field.
But your fans are furries, the great majority will want to see cocks, even if they're not getting used. I doubt this will negatively affect your popularity.
Looking at the poll, I'd say I'm right.

I don't really care whether or not it makes me "popular". The audience I garner is the one that I attract; it isn't necessarily better or worse than another. I'm wondering how the audience I have now would react because I'm considering doing it for my own personal growth.

I personally disagree. Like I said, tasteful nudes you have already, you'd just be strying closer to outright porn.
But your poll shows most people actively want it. For any of your fans that disaproves you'll gain three new ones.
I find it's a slippery slope, but the data you want only points one way.

But which three new ones? I feel fairly saturated in terms of fans as it is, would the ones I attract simply be the creepers who otherwise just kind of dismiss my art, or are there people who don't pay that much attention otherwise but are still pretty good fans, or what?

Furries who're only in it for the cocks.
...which of your options do they correspond to?

Now see, 90% of that would be furries looking for prominently displayed or erect genitals, neither of which I would be doing.

They can wait. Slippery slope and all that. And even the ones who can't might still appreciate whatever little you'd draw.

I would love to see it from you, but perhaps I'm not the best encouragement. l3
I guess the thing for me is, so many of your pictures thus far have basically been just that -- they've been so close to it that it's splitting hairs to avoid doing so. It's almost like making a gourmet sandwich and not putting the little stake through it to keep it together, and saying it's therefore not a gourmet sandwich. Maybe my analogy falls apart ... but so does the sandwich!!

Um, anyways.
I think the bigger point here for me, is that you should do what you want to do, and don't seek the confirmation of others -- I can't help but feel put off by the one suggestion on your poll there, where the response is like, "I'd be disappointed in seeing such a thing come from you." -- you're not here to entertain us, you're here to show off your artwork -- your artwork. Do what you want to do, whatever that is -- not what any demographic feels like pressuring you into doing. You're an amazingly talented artist, and people love your stuff because it's your stuff.

I get the impression that regardless of the level of nudity or naughty bits shown, you would still be telling a story or showing something pretty, instead of going the path of "Look! A Genital!"

I'd be fine with it, but if you do this you'll get more of the creepy/pervert crowd commenting on your art. If that won't disturb you, then I'd say "go for it".

Otherwise, you might consider drawing what you want, and then posting pixelated/edited versions for everyone else to see.

All you need to do is look into a mirror at the crack of dawn, and say out loud "I am Rick Griffin and drawing hawt'n'sticky furry action is my destiny and I'm proud of it."

And everything will fall into place.

You've never struck me as one to do pornography, and I think that's what most people have come to expect of you. I see a lot of comments saying how you border on nudity already, but we both know what you're talking about is a different step; expressing both sexuality and bodily form without seeking to arouse your audience. There are also concerns that your art might in some way become about sex. I, personally, believe that some of your art SHOULD be about sex and sexuality. Now I'm not saying pornography is the best way to go about that, nor, in this case, is it a good option. Sexuality can be expressed perfectly well, and in some cases in it's best form, without actually depicting sexual acts.

To put it as simply as I can:
The artist is human. Sexuality is part of being human. Thus sexuality is part of the artist. Ergo, sexuality is part of the art.

I'm sure there's at least 3 fallacy's there (insert phallus joke here), but my point should still get across. I, for one, count myself among those who would enjoy seeing you draw nudity. I'd rather enjoy seeing your art use nudity as a tool to journey into the previously under-explored realm of sexuality.

All this being said, is that the sort of thing you'd be after in drawing nudes? Nudity just for the sake of nudity (as opposed to pornography or sexuality) would be rather unnecessary. It all boils down to what you want to do with your art.

I actually have gone to this extent with my writing--whether or not I want to aim for YA or adult fiction or what is its own thing, but my personal range doesn't necessarily need to be chained down for the sake of wanting to have cleaner projects. At lest, I don't think.

You can check the example I posted to see!

I saw the example. It was certainly cute and really did express a part of sexuality without being inherently sexual. I like.

As to your writing, I can't say I've read much of yours. I've been meaning to read it and you just reminded that you have stories posted.

I think my night just got more entertaining.

I'd love it as long as it's separate from the comic. I love how Jay Naylor (fisk) does his porn in that the story goes on but he sells publications showing what happens in the bedroom with the various characters. :) I really love that image you posted for the example, poor joey.

"Waaagh! Ohnoes! Our squeeky-clean furry artist drew Boobs! It is the end! Oh why? Why would you Debase yourself with such Filth? How could you turn into one of Them? Wasn't tasteful and classy PG art enough for you? Oh why? Why-why-why-rabble-rabble-rabble-rabble!"

"So what if he draws boobs, let him draw full-on porn if he wants to. Why? You think your squeeky-clean world of PG-only art is so much more better? You think sticking strictly PG gives you Class? You think it gives you Taste? You think all of those among us who draw or gaze upon bare nipples belong to the outer darkness? Who do you think you are? Who-who-who-rabble-rabble-rabble-rabble!"


Draw nudes, don't draw nudes...

Just draw what you want, the only thing out there with any power to do anything about it is The Universe, and The Universe doesn't give a crap either way.


Cheers.

It is only on a pedestal because, like many things, someone put it there and told people that's what its place was.

You know that's very well put actually. It's kind of strange that such a thing should be done to the human body in its natural, default, unaltered condition.

It's one of the things I've understood the least about human beings; that we can't get over such a basic thing as our own bodies and our inherent sexual natures. That we'd go to such extent to suppress these things that it would cause harm.

Tell me about it. We are a strange, strange bunch.

I think it would be a good idea to expand on what you already know. I read your poll, voted, and commented on the DA page. I read a few of your replies in this journal, and I don't think your popularity wouldn't be swayed either way based on posting artistic nudes or not. You're already a talented artist and that speaks for itself more than anything. Plus those who don't want to see your nudes won't look at them (cause chances are they'll have mature content turned off anyway).

Personally, I'd say draw what you want (as you've basically been doing for years from the looks of it), and people will see what they want to see. With the number of watchers you have on both sites, you might have a few people going "oh no! its a nipple!" but I think your audience as a whole won't care, because they enjoy your style, attention to detail and subject matter more than they do your content ratings. You're an adult, do what you feel is right for you :)

Dude, your art is awesome, in any fashion - and I fully support whatever you choose to draw. :3

Go for it. I'm not a porn artist, but I have no issues with nudity or drawing nudity. Nudity doesn't necessarily have to be sexual.

Though I will be the first to admit that drawing boobs is fun

Awesome, go for it. But there is no reason why you can't snort cocaine off of hookers abdomen's anyways.

If it's alright for the Sistine Chapel ceiling then I think you're okay. Of course I like a lot of art which is decidedly not okay for the Sistine Chapel ceiling but that's neither here nor there.

Ultimately I think you should do whatever you want to do, and you needn't seek our approval or gauge our reactions for it. I understand the need to, though. I used to hide a lot of things I was interested in, sexual AND non-sexual, for years because of guilt from my religious upbringing and because of anxiety from peers. I still censor myself in a lot of ways online, to some degree or another. It's difficult to break free from it.

But ultimately what matters is what fulfills YOU artistically. If that's same-sex couples, go for it. If it's nudes, go for it. Heck, even if you do decide to draw porn, go for that too (and don't let any alarmist internalizing of "slippery slope" arguments get you down). Your art is for YOU first and foremost, after all.

Besides, I'm not all that surprised anyway. I've always suspected you had nudist sympathies. Heck, that's one of the things I like about your art. A world where pants are optional is a happier world in my book.

Nudist sympathizer, that's an interesting way of putting it . . .

It sounds like something you'd accuse a politician of, doesn't it?

"Sir, why have you denied the denim factory's building permits? Are you a NUDIST SYMPATHIZER?"

Personally? I could care less.

Drawings are drawings, in the end of the day it comes down to what are you comfortable doing.

I'm a severe schizophrenic, 99% of my day is spent worrying about what other people are thinking about me and if want to hurt me, I know there's nothing I can do about these feelings, but I know logically that I shouldn't be spending my time worrying what other people think of me, that I should be worried what I think of myself.

Unless drawing nudity/porn changes who you are yourself, don't worry about it.

I don't know your stances on it because:

A) You've never talked about it

B) I never look at art as "PORN ONLY" etc, I look at a person's art cause I tend to like all of it, not just some of it.

End result anyways is you shouldn't be worried about what you think other people think about you, its what you should be thinking about yourself

Go for it man, I know better than to pester an artist while he's working out of his comfort zone

What is the worst conceivable consequence you imagine happening if you post nudes? Be honest.

I think if you want to grow in your art and think that is a good step than do it
I have no problem seeing nude bodies coming from you

Non-porn nudity? Like REAL art? I'm all in!

i think the roo momma pic is adorable

UNless you're honest with yourself in your art, it will never reach its maximum potential. Do what you must!

Teehee, the title of this journal made me giggle.

If you want to post adult-rated things you should - but be aware it is gonna attract a different crowd. I think even if you intend for it to be non-sexual some people will interpret it as that. It's kinda a road that seems like it might be hard to go back on. I only ever post G rated stuff and no one ever asks me about adult art 'cause they know that's not what I do. I know as soon as I posted one thing that'd change. XD It doesn't need to be a big deal though if you're clear about saying no.

I know for me, whether or not an artist draws adult art, or sometimes even graphic porn, doesn't affect how I appreciate their art. I won't favorite anything but general rated art, but I look at way more than that and enjoy and admire it. I have only unwatched people for getting into fetish territories I'd rather not see. :P

It seems pretty obvious that you seem to be having a desire or compulsion to do this, so you should do it.
It's nothing totally outlandish, and no matter what you do, there's always someone who will flip tables when a situation changes (especially when it's 'their stuff', and a lot of people think that what sort of thing an artist draws is 'their stuff'), so you shouldn't be too dependent on what people would think of you.

Whatever makes you happy. If you want to do this and have the desire go for it! If this makes you uncomfortable and your doing this on behalf of fans I wouldn't. I would say do whatever makes you happy, I have no preference as to what you do. If you draw nude pics I still support you 100% and if you don't I still support you100%. You have the power to make your own choice and I'm sure you will make the right one. :)

Voted in favour :3

You know, by now, what I will say, but I will say it again, anyhow; Do what makes you feel comfortable, Rick, be who you are, nothing more and nothing less.

Always your friend,
Randall Kramm

Haha I thought people 18 or older were aloud to see nudity X3
I couldn't see it so idk ^^

I have a feeling that you're eventually going to draw what you want to draw, and then you will find out who your true fans are...

Cormentatered on DA |'3

Well, just a personal opinion, seeing you draw nudes does make me uncomfortable. Pornographic or no, it triggers a response in my brain that makes me withdraw; though I know that's not everyone's reaction. I'll freely admit that seeing a cute bunny being bound with his feet mercilessly tickle-tortured should generate this feeling, but without the dangly bits it feels more light-hearted. However, I do fully accept that I'm in the minority when it comes to my reaction, and I do encourage you to draw what you feel comfortable drawing. I would just recommend that you be sure to carefully consider it, or you may end up regretting your decision at a later date. And thank you for being considerate enough to ask your fans, and to listen to them. :3

Exploring and expanding is key to improving yourself in the field of art. Nothing wrong with actual bits and pieces. Although in my opinion, it still looks just as awesome as anything, regardless if you drew them or not. You're still an awesome artist and my opinion about it should have no real meaning to how you make art. I just hope to aim to improve myself in the field of art more effectively.

Honestly, I think you are just now learning to deal with some of your sexual hangups, a problem not all that uncommon in our culture. I think this is a good thing for you, testing the waters out. I think you will find that the waters are inviting.

I'm never one to pressure anybody into drawing things they don't want to draw, but I think I would appreciate it if more artists felt freer to at least draw characters anatomically correct. It seems as if those artists afraid to draw what I call "matter of fact" genitalia are more afraid of being publicly shamed or chastised. Perhaps this is from a strict upbringing or some other form of social programming, or maybe its caused by a traumatic sexual experience. Maybe some random furs wanted to cyber with you when you didn't want to. Furries can be very openly sexual and for those not used to very openly sexual people, it can be gearing to say the least.

I can only speculate on what your motivations have been and it really isn't my place to figure out what your reasons, just to give you some things to consider. In the end, though, I think you will find yourself feeling very liberated if you eventually find yourself fit to express yourself to the world with nothing held back. Sometimes the best, most amazing art is the art made without inhibition, challenging the social norms.

Here is to your individuality, my friend!